The law states: “No later than seven days after a primary election, the {major} party’s candidate for governor shall select a candidate for lieutenant governor.”

Political analysts disagree on how much influence a running mate has on the ticket, but it can generate a buzz of one kind or another.

Former Rep. B.J. Nikkel of Loveland was under a national spotlight for her role in opposing a fracking measure in Loveland, which was defeated a week ago. Her name has been mentioned in recent days but Nikkel said in an e-mail today, “Neither Beauprez — nor Hickenlooper ; ) — have reached out to me.”

Only two years ago, the left hailed Republican Rep. B.J. Nikkel as a hero for her support for a civil-unions measure but now a “fractivist” has described the former lawmaker as “trained talking dog” and compared her to a Nazi.

Rep. B.J. Nikkel of Loveland listens to testimony during the hearing for a civil-unions bill. (The Denver Post)

Phillip Doe, a Colorado activist involved in the Loveland anti-fracking fight, hurled insults at Nikkel in an article posted Friday in Counterpunch, a left-wing website, after hearing her speak at a rally.

“For some reason after Nikkel and her folks got done speaking, I kept thinking of Hitler’s Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels and how big lies gain acceptance,” said Doe in his article, “Lies, Damned Lies and Fracking Lies.”

Doe also referred to the “many whoppers dutifully trotted out like a trained talking dog” by Nikkel, whose remarks came at an event sponsored by opponents of Question 1, an initiative that would place a two-year moratorium on fracking in Loveland.

Gov. John Hickenlooper today appointed former state Rep. Glenn Vaad to the Public Utilities Commission, calling the former transportation department employee “a distinguished leader who has dedicated much of his life to public service.”

Former Rep. Glenn Vaad was appointed today to the Public Utilities Commission. (Governor’s office)

“He knows how to listen to all sides of an issue and work with varied interests to find common ground,” Hickenlooper said in a news release. “Glenn is calm, courageous and a good addition to the Public Utilities Commission.”

Hickenlooper was required to appoint a Republican because state statute requires there not be more than two members on the commission from any one political party. Two of the current members are Democrats; Republican James K. Tarpey last month announced his resignation. Vaad’s appointment is effective Jan. 7 and must be confirmed by the Senate, which provides an interesting side story:

[media-credit name=”Karl Gehring/The Denver Post” align=”alignright” width=”270″][/media-credit] Rep. B.J. Nikkel of Loveland listens to testimony in May during the hearing for a civil-unions bill.

The Colorado Women’s Bar Association on Tuesday will honor Rep. B.J. Nikkel for her work on civil unions and juvenile prosecution. The Loveland Republican will receive the group’s Legislative Champion Award.

U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave thanks supporters after her win in the 2006 election. (AP Photo/John Epperson)

Former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave once told a staffer she could probably support civil unions because it wasn’t marriage, according to a Facebook posting.

The post was written by state Rep. B.J. Nikkel, of Loveland, who served as Musgrave’s district director in the 4th Congressional District. Nikkel became a hero in the gay community this session for voting with Democrats to send a civil-unions bill out of its first committee hearing. Some conservatives consider her a traitor.

Nikkel, in taking on a Musgrave family member on Facebook, said in her post that her civil-unions vote doesn’t make her a liberal any more than Musgrave’s support of the bailout and other issues makes Musgrave a liberal.

A conservative blog claims new Democrat-friendly legislative maps represent a “very distinct and direct attack on conservative women in Colorado,” but conservative men have played a role in diminishing female numbers.

Rep. Amy Stephens

Former Lt. Gov Jane Norton

In a number of GOP primary elections for various offices, from U.S. senator to the state House, Republicans have picked men over their female opponents.

What led to the charge about attacks on conservative women were new legislative boundaries approved last week by the Colorado Reapportionment Commission. The new maps, approved by the five Democrats and the lone unaffiliated member of the commission, put some Republican women in the House into the same districts as fellow Republicans.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.